By 2030, the share of people aged 65 and over in the U.S. will have increased to more than 20% of the population — up from 17% in 2022. 

In the Triangle, the increase may be even more pronounced. A recent Axios article presented new census data showing the Triangle experienced one of the largest surges of residents 65 and over in the country since the pandemic. With that increase also comes an increased need for services to care for seniors.

In today's episode, Due South explores various aspects of eldercare. A reporter shares her research on PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) centers as possible alternatives to nursing homes for some older folks. A local nonprofit leader talks about her organization's efforts to help seniors navigate the complicated world of Medicare. And, an economist delves into the eldercare economy and the disproportionate impact on women.

Guests

Shannon Grein, economist with Wells Fargo Economics based in Charlotte. She co-authored a report called “Can't Grow Old Without Her: Women's Central Role in a Growing Eldercare Economy” 

Gina Upchurch, executive director of Senior PharmAssist

Anna Claire Vollers, reporter for Stateline based in Huntsville, AL, wrote "‘Are nursing homes our only option?’ These centers offer older adults an alternative."

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Irwin Morris of North Carolina State University’s School of Public and International Affairs talks with co-host Jeff Tiberii about the history of political violence in our country.

Then, NC State professor of entomology and plant pathology Clyde Sorenson talks with co-host Jeff Tiberii about North Carolina's declining firefly population and how human activity is contributing.

And, co-host Leoneda Inge chats with rubgy sevens star Captain Sammy Sullivan about serving her country as a soldier-athlete — and representing the U.S. at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

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The RNC begins in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, after an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The North Carolina reaction, and a reporter in Milwaukee briefs us on security precautions.

The assassination attempt will likely impact the election in ways we can’t yet anticipate. But for now, we zoom in on the Republican platform and issues facing the party as they convene their national convention.

Plus, ProPublica investigates two NC judges’ ethical violations and how NC

Guests

Colin Campbell, Capitol Bureau Chief at WUNC

Maayan Silver, news reporter at NPR member station WUWM in Milwaukee

Abby Vesoulis, reporter Mother Jones

Mitch Kokai, Senior Political Analyst at the John Locke Foundation

Doug Bock Clark, reporter in ProPublica’s South unit, investigates threats to democracy and abuses of power throughout the region

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You can read the ProPublica report by Doug Bock Clark here.

On the North Carolina News Roundup… 

Vice President Kamala Harris made her latest stop in North Carolina this week. We talk about the Biden campaign's efforts here. 

We also look at a series of bills the governor has signed into law, the latest veto, and – money. There's so much of it in politics, and this week we learned that millions are pouring into three swing state Senate districts. Why that matters and how it could impact the messaging across the next week. 

A panel of reporters joins co-host Jeff Tiberii to dig into the week's news across North Carolina.

Guests

Gary Robertson, Statehouse Reporter, Associated Press

Dawn Vaughan, Capitol Bureau Chief, The News & Observer

Steve Harrison, Political Reporter, WFAE Charlotte

Danielle Battaglia, Capitol Hill Correspondent/, The News & Observer/The Charlotte Observer/McClatchy

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Ashley Ward, director of Duke University's Heat Policy Innovation Hub, joins us to talk about protection from extreme summer temperatures. Ruth Pointer of the legendary soul group, The Pointer Sisters, chats about her storied career. Two local ice treat shops, Simons Says Dip This and Locopops, discuss the history of their businesses and their exclusive summer menu options.

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Fewer than half of Asian Americans have been contacted by either political party… even though they are the fastest-growing electorate in the U.S. 

Plus, Heidi Kim on leading students through a tumultuous year at UNC *encore edition.

Guests

Eli Chen, digital news producer, WUNC 

Steve Rao, At-Large Council Member, Morrisville Town Council 

Chavi Khanna Koneru, co-founder and Executive Director of North Carolina Asian Americans Together (NCAAT) 

Heidi Kim, director of the Asian American Center at UNC-Chapel Hill, where she is a professor of English and Comparative Literature

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Carolina Beach ocean rescue captain Shawn Kelly tells co-host Jeff Tiberii about how rip currents form and why they can be so dangerous. 

Professor Joel Fodrie tells co-host Leoneda Inge about the rich underwater world that sharks inhabit off our shores, and how to reduce the already low chances of a human-shark encounter.

Johanna F. Still of The Assembly dives deep into the world of the Shibumi, from its origin story on Emerald Isle to those who love, and those who don't love, the seemingly ubiquitous sunshade.

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Part One: Booker T. Spicely Marker
On July 8th, 1944, Booker T. Spicely, a U.S. Army private on active duty, was killed in Durham, North Carolina in an act of racial violence. On the 80th anniversary of his passing, we're resharing a story that originally aired in December 2023 covering the unveiling of a historical marker in Spicely's honor.
 James Williams, attorney, retired public defender, leader of a committee that documented Spicely’s story and advocated for a marker

Part Two: The Story of Civil Rights Organizer Mollie Moon
Host Leoneda Inge talks to historian and author Tanisha C. Ford about her latest book, “Our Secret Society: Mollie Moon and the Glamour, Money, and Power Behind the Civil Rights Movement.” Moon was a prominent organizer for civil rights causes in the mid-20th century. She was also the subject of much gossip and speculation over the course of her career.
Tanisha C. Ford, historian, and author of “Our Secret Society”

Part Three: On Black Wall Street, Ella West Gallery is a beacon of artistic light
Ella West Gallery is the latest business to revitalize the historic Black Wall Street in downtown Durham. Owner Linda Shropshire joins Leoneda Inge to discuss the legacy of Black business ownership on Black Wall Street.
Linda Shropshire, owner of Ella West Gallery

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Hey Due South listeners! We just wanted to give you a heads-up in case you’re expecting a few new episodes from us this week. You might’ve heard on our episode Monday – the rest of this week WUNC is broadcasting a special series by our friend Roy Wood Jr., and NPR, it’s called Road To Rickwood and it’s about Civil Rights, baseball, and Birmingham, Alabama.

And if you haven’t ‘met’ Roy Wood Jr. yet, I’d recommend you go back and listen to Monday’s episode. He’s a comedian, and Alabama native, and he even played at Rickwood field as a child.

Take a listen to all episodes of Road To Rickwood here. 

We’ll have new episodes for you just like normal starting back on Monday July 8th.

Thanks for listening.

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Comedian Roy Wood Jr. takes a break from stand up to sit down with historians and former Negro League players in the new NPR podcast "Road to Rickwood."

Co-host Leoneda Inge talks with Chris Holaday, author of Cracks in the Outfield Wall: The History of Baseball Integration in the Carolinas.

Minor league pitcher Devin Sweet recently had a brush with the majors at a time when only six percent of Major League Baseball players are Black. He talks with co-host Leoneda Inge about his father's efforts to build a baseball community for him and other Black kids in their Greensboro neighborhood.

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